Amid Heckling, City Oks Land For School

DELRAY BEACH — Outside the City Hall parking lot, the protesters pleaded Tuesday with pumped fists and angry words for the elected officials to reconsider their plans to relocate Atlantic High School.

But when they moved inside, their demands went nowhere, as city commissioners gave preliminary approval to spend $6.3 million to buy the first of many properties needed to rebuild the school a quarter-mile north of West Atlantic Avenue.

Boooo! the crowd of about 150 homeowners and students shouted at the commissioners, prompting Mayor David Schmidt to say he would clear the room if the heckling continued.

"You're wasting our tax dollars," one woman screamed, as people walked out in protest and officials tried to carry on other business.

"We're not done yet. Just wait until Election Day," another woman yelled.

In just 10 minutes, the commissioners made one of the most controversial decisions in recent years by starting the process of moving the school from the city's northeast side to a central location near Interstate 95.

Commissioners didn't say much or take the time to hear the people's fears the new site would ruin their neighborhood with noise, traffic and further congestion. They saved those comments for two upcoming public hearings.

But an hour later, once the crowd had dissolved, officials said the relocation would benefit the entire city, and it was mostly opposed by people who didn't want it in their back yards and by some Atlantic High School alumni not wanting to part with their school.

"I am encouraged by our decision," said Commissioner Jon Levinson. "It's distressing to see any part of our neighborhoods in pain. But it's important to note that a large part of the community supports this."

The 4-0 vote cleared Delray Beach to put down a $200,000 refundable deposit on buying the 20-acre property behind Temple Sinai on West Atlantic Avenue as part of the 30 to 40 acres of land needed in that area to house the school and its recreation fields.

Commissioner Alberta McCarthy abstained from the vote because she said an agent from her real estate company represents vacant land the city may need to buy to lay out the school.

The commission will make the final purchase decision in March, and it could terminate the deal anytime before then.

The 20-acre property was bought for $3.5 million in August by Miami Lakes-based Continental Homes FL Inc., which planned to build townhouses there. The land has since risen in value and is expected to be worth $6 million in April, according to a city appraisal.

To situate the school at that site, additional property would need to be acquired. Officials are looking at either buying land in the 38-house Breezy Ridge neighborhood located east of Temple Sinai or purchasing property in an industrial complex located further east and across the E-4 canal.

Should the city acquire all the land needed for the school, it will sell it to the Palm Beach School District or exchange other properties with the district.

Because the district usually handles its own property acquisitions, Delray Beach decided in this case to take the lead because officials want the current Atlantic High School site to be set aside for a future middle school and soccer fields.

The school district was originally supposed to rebuild the school at its existing location on Seacrest Boulevard, but city and school leaders are pushing to relocate it to a central site.

That would mean putting the school in the heart of a residential community.

Upset at that prospect, homeowners from Breezy Ridge, Coral Trace and High Point developments tried unsuccessfully to sway the commissioners.

Carrying a sign that read "School Board: How do you justify your expensive dream in the face of school cutbacks?" Karl Chakford, an 11-month resident of Coral Trace, said he likely would have reconsidered moving there had he known the land next door would be used for a high school.

"This is a residential neighborhood. There's other sites for them to consider. It doesn't belong here," he said.

Residents will get a chance to formally voice their feelings at public hearings 7 p.m. Jan. 30 at Old School Square at the corner of Atlantic and Swinton avenues, and at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at Atlantic High School.

Leon Fooksman can be reached at lfooksman@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6647.